Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-06-16
DAILY HERALD.
PRISON ESCAPE.
Two Men Get Out by Msans OF
Duplicate Keys.


Last evening about seven o'elocl
Jailor Mannon locked the paddock t.
the grating on the cellar through which
the coal is passed to the County JAIL
and ten minutes thereafter two prison
ers, named VIM. johnson and Will A,
Davis, opened the grating by means Of
keys they had obtained, and succeeded
in escaping. 1t appears that when the
charge of the County Jail was handed
over to Mr.. Mannon on the first of May
the keys to all the doors were handed
to him, but there we're other keys to
psdlocks which were stored away In the
office. and Mr.. Mannon was unaware
that these would fit the locks of which
he carried the keys. He was very par
ticular with the keys he carried, and as
the others were supposed by him to fit
only the unused padlocks, he lett them
where they had always been, but it now
ted the paddock down stairs, which he
had locked carefully and pocketed as
he supposed the only keys thereto. The
prisoners, however, had discovered that
the unused keys fitted the paddock, and
watching their opportunity, cceeded
in making their escape. Davis, mu.
latto, had been allowed to be in the
corridor on account of his bad health.
1t is only a few days since prisoner
died at the Jail, and Davis had been so
sick that he was carried out Of the tanks
and kept where he had more air, and as
he grew better he was kept about as a
trusty. He was ungrateful to Sheriff
Kays for his humanity toward him, and
took advantage of his kindness to
escape at the first opportunity, although
he was only serving out short sentence
for petit larceny. johnson also had no
apparent reason to escape, for it was
almost certain that be would have re-
ceived o pardon from the Governor, a
petition having been forwarded to Sac.
ramento some time since, but action on
it was delayed on account of Governor
Bartlett's illness. johnson only had
short time more to serve,
and so certain was he and
his friends and those who signed the
petition that he would be pardoned,
that he was employed as trusty. After
Jailor Mannon had locked the grating
he went up to the front door, but he |
discovered the escape about five minutes
after it had occurred. and in very
short time men were in pursuit OF the |
escapes. The outlets from the city by |
rail were guarded and it was certain
that neither left on trains last night. |
kilograms were also sent to points |
where they might be expected to pass,
and every effort will be made to bring |
the fugitives back. In order that they
may be recognized the following descrip- |
tions are given: William Johnson, age
IS or 40, height feet inches, weight
l60 pounds, black hair, no beard, NOUS |
tache, dark hazel eyes, dark complexion,
stonecuster by trade; had on dark suit |
of clothes, high crown derby hat, and
was lame in both ankles, particularly in
the right ankle.
viii A. Davis, mulatto; height 5 feet
10 inches, thinly built, wsight $50
pounds. hair short and curly, no beard.
thin black moustache, black eyes, barber
by trade, rather good looking; had on a
dark suit of clothes and low crowned
hat; large feet.
The escape was an accident which
could not be foreseen.